STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner is breathing down Christine Quinn's neck in the race for the Democratic nomination to be the next mayor.

Weiner, who resigned in the face of outrage two years ago after he tweeted a lewd photo of himself and then lied about it, surged into second place, according to the latest Marist College poll. With the support of 19 percent of those polled, he only trails Ms. Quinn, the City Council speaker, who has 24 percent.

Just as crucially, Weiner's entry in the race grabbed the spotlight from other Democratic candidates trying to secure some attention: The poll showed 12 percent like Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, 11 percent go for former Comptroller Bill Thompson, and 8 percent for current Comptroller John Liu. Former Councilman Sal Albanese has 1 percent and Staten Island minister Erick Salgado didn't even draw 1 percent. A total of 23 percent are undecided.

"The Democratic primary for mayor remains wide open," said Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "It is likely to come down to who can punch their ticket for the runoff."

On the other side of the political aisle are three Republicans who have built high-profile careers outside of elected office: former MTA head Joseph Lhota (also a deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani); Doe Fund founder George T. McDonald; and Gristedes supermarket magnate and billionaire John A. Catsimatidis.

Independent Adolfo Carrion, a former Bronx Borough President, is also seeking to be the city's next mayor.